Stockport Old Town
THE unique visual identity for Stockport Old Town was created by Stockport’s Portas Pilot group in 2013.
The idea was to focus on Stockport’s historical quarter filled with unique charm and character to create a popular cultural destination to attract people from all over the North West.
Over the last five years, the Portas Pilot group have overseen a period of real transformational change for Stockport Old Town. Through running events and activity which engage with people more directly, Stockport Old Town has started to become known as the place for quality food and drink,
Live entertainment and independent specialist retail.
During this time the area’s evening economy began to thrive, through events like the ever popular, award-winning Foodie Friday, a rise in the number of interactive cultural events such as the Fringe and Folk Festivals attracting thousands of new visitors, and the creation of an arts centre, Seven Miles Out, which created a unique family- friendly destination offering a wealth of arts, music and cultural engagement.
All of this has helped to change the negative perceptions many residents had developed towards the town centre and has begun to restore the sense of pride and belonging that many members of the local community had lost over time.
The vision of the Portas Pilot team has been key to all this and the grassroots growth that was started back in 2013 is now reaping great benefits for the area by attracting new and exciting stakeholders.
We are delighted to welcome two new exciting businesses to the Old Town that launched on Foodie Friday.
Rare Mags is a specialist independent creative magazine and book shop located at 17 Lower Hillgate.
Icon Photography Studios by Lisa and Nicola have moved their new studios to 34 Market Place.
The fact that these businesses have chosen to open in the Old Town is a testament to the work that has been done to establish the area as a hub for creative businesses that attract their own specialist audience and we wish them every success.
The regular specialist market events held in the Market Hall and Market Place have also been important in establishing the unique identity of the Old Town.
This Sunday, the Stockport Book and Record Fair takes place from 10am in the Market Hall. This is a popular bi-monthly event held on the first Sunday where you can browse fantastic stalls filled with books, vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, vintage hifi equipment and ephemera.
As well as so much to look at, there’s always live music from local artists and hot and cold refreshments available from The Oak Tree Café inside the Market Hall.
Free parking is available nearby at the nearby Churchgate Car Park. Admission is free after 10am, (with early entry from 9am at £5 per person). This month we’re delighted to see talented young Heatons’ band Derailer playing live at the Book and Record Fair following their excellent performances at Foodie Friday and Seven Miles Out.
It’s great to see young bands like Derailer being offered more opportunities to play in the Old Town which is just what this area should be all about.
For more information about Stockport Old Town please visit www. stockportoldtown.co.uk Rosemary Barratt